Your classic car is your pride and joy, and you want it to look pristine and run smoothly. Protecting the car when in and out of storage is key. Whether you keep your car on your driveway or in a classic car storage facility, there are steps you should take to ensure you are protecting it correctly.
Read on for tips on how to protect your classic car and how our classic car storage facility could help you.
Consider the type of building you’re storing your classic car in
When putting your car into storage you need to make sure that the space protects the car from weather, extreme temperatures, moisture and of course it needs to be secure.
Storing your car in a single skin brick building is not the best option as it will tend to be damp and will not maintain a constant temperature or be moisture free.
A well-built timber garage or building offers a good amount of protection and limits dampness.
Alternatively, you could use concrete building or outbuilding. These may protect your car from the majority of elements. But concrete buildings can often have a reduced airflow, which can make them great places for mould and mildew to grow. If you are using a concrete building for your classic car storage, it is recommended that you create some air flow throughout the building.
A purpose-built high security insulated building provides very good protection and eliminates dampness.
Call us on 01305 889777 to find out what type of building our classic car storage facility is.
Outside classic car storage
It is not recommended that you ever store a classic car outside, but if you are choosing to store your classic car outside, there are a few tricks you should do to make sure your car is protected as best as possible.
If it is possible, you should raise your car off the ground a little. This will protect the tyres, wheels and the underneath of your precious car.
Don’t wrap your car up in standard tarpaulin because it won’t offer the right kind of protection and it won’t let the car breathe, which can lead to condensation, mould and mildew.
Cover your classic car when its in storage
No matter what your classic car storage choice is, it is always a good idea to cover your car.
Obviously, a cover will protect your car from far more if you are storing your classic car outside. It is worth investing in a weatherproof cover that fits your car like a glove if you are keeping it outside, as this will provide maximum protection for the car, especially against wind “rub”. The cover will also protect both interior materials and exterior paint from bird droppings and moisture which can affect the paintwork.
A cover also ensures that the paintwork is protected from any direct sunlight, whether it is in an indoor or outdoor classic car storage facility.
If you can’t get a cover to fit your car’s specifications, it is suggested that you get one that is a little bit bigger and then peg it in place, making sure that everything is covered.
Clean, polish and wax your car before it goes into storage
Leaving dirt, salt and moisture on your car could potentially damage the car’s paintwork. You wouldn’t let moisture or dirt damage paintwork while out of storage, so why let it when in storage?
It is so important that the car is completely dry before being put into any sort of classic car storage! If there is any moisture left, there is a chance the car will rust.
Another handy tip is to lubricate any rubber parts if you can. This will stop them perishing while they are in storage for long periods of time.
When using our classic car storage facility, you will have access to a pressure washer, so that you can clean your car after taking it out.
If you would like to know more about the facilities available when storing your classic car with us, email info@hogleazestorage.co.uk, or call 01305 889777.
Open the windows when in any type of classic car storage
It is important to allow for air to circulate around the car. This will prevent any bad smells settling in the car, and it can also ensure mould doesn’t start growing.
Note that leaving a window will mean that mice and other small animals may be able to get in. To avoid this from happening, make sure you only open the windows very slightly and don’t leave any crumbs or dirt in the car that will attract such animals.
Store a convertible with the roof closed, so that it maintains its shape and stops the material from shrinking – don’t be tempted to leave the roof down in the name of ventilation.
Disconnect the battery and regularly check fluid levels
Having a classic car is all fun and games until something goes wrong. So take steps while the car is in storage to minimise the chance of anything going wrong.
It is recommended to keep your classic car on trickle charge so it’s ready to start whenever you want to use it. If not available, it is advised that you disconnect the battery as car batteries leak charge when they aren’t being used. Alternatively, take the car for a short drive or run the engine for 10 minutes every few weeks to charge the battery.
And keep an eye on the car’s fluid levels because switching the car on when there are low fluid levels could cause catastrophic damage to the engine… not what you want when you were looking forward to getting out in the sun for a nice peaceful drive.
Another issue can be the use of E10 fuel in an incompatible car, as it will still run, but seals, plastics and metals may be damaged over longer periods as a result of bioethanol’s corrosive properties. It is a hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water from the atmosphere, leading to condensation in fuel tanks if the car remains unused for long periods of time.
At our classic car storage facility, you will have 24 hour access to your car, allowing you to make these checks at a time that suits your routine. You will also have access to electric sockets, enabling you to trickle-charge the battery, should you choose to.
Make sure it is in a secure location
It doesn’t bear thinking about someone else being able to get their hands on your prized possession. So don’t risk it. Make sure the car is being stored in a safe place. Put extra padlocks on doors and make sure that the locations aren’t easy to break into.
When you drop your car off at our classic car storage facility, you will get your own key fob to our fully enclosed, insulated and alarmed buildings.
Our facilities also have automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and strategically placed security cameras (CCTV), allowing us to know who is accessing the site. So you can rest knowing that your classic car is safe in our hands.
Use our classic car storage facility
We make the storage of classic cars simple and easy. We have 250 individually marked, generously sized plots available at our Dorchester storage facility.
We are currently constructing a purpose-built classic car storage building that will be ready before the autumn, so contact us now to reserve a plot in time for next winter.
Give us a call on 01305 889777 or email us at info@hogleazestorage.co.uk to find out about our classic car storage availability.